<p class="akh-article-overview">Your child needs to take the medicine called immune globulin. Learn what immune globulin does, how to give it, and possible sideeffects.</p>

<p>Your child needs to take the medicine called immune globulin (say: ih-MUNE GLOB-yoo-lin). This information sheet explains what immune globulin does, how to give it, and what side effects or problems your child may have when they take this medicine. </p>

<h2>Before giving immune globulin to your child</h2>
<p>Tell your child's doctor if your child has:</p>
<ul><li>an allergy to immune globulin products</li></ul>
<h3>Talk with your child's doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. </h3>
<p>Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has: </p>
<ul><li>a history of blood clotting problems</li>
<li>diabetes mellitus</li>
<li>heart problems</li>
<li>kidney problems</li>
<li>immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency</li></ul>

<h2>How will your child get immune globulin?</h2>
<p>A nurse will inject immune globulin from a needle into your child's vein. Usually your child will get this medicine in the hospital clinic or in the nursing unit. </p>

<h2>What are the possible side effects of immune globulin?</h2>
<p>Your child may have some of these side effects while they are getting immune globulin. Call the nurse if your child has any of these signs or symptoms: </p>
<ul><li>headache</li>
<li>muscle aches</li>
<li>trouble breathing, shortness of breath</li>
<li>blue lips and fingernails</li>
<li>swelling of the legs and ankles</li>
<li>swelling of the eyes, face, ears</li>
<li>hives (raised, red, itchy areas on the skin)</li></ul>
<h3>Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. </h3>
<p>Tell the nurse or doctor right away if your child has any of these side effects. If you are no longer at the hospital, call the doctor right away if your child has: </p>
<ul><li>stiff neck</li>
<li>fever, chills</li>
<li>severe headache</li>
<li>severe nausea and vomiting</li>
<li>painful eye movements</li>
<li>eyes sensitive to light</li>
<li>drowsiness</li>
<li>red or dark brown urine</li></ul>

<h2>What safety measures should you take when your child is using immune globulin?</h2>
<p>Keep all appointments at the clinic or doctor's office so that your doctor can check your child's response to immune globulin. The doctor may order blood tests to check your child's kidneys. </p>
<p>Your child may not get the full benefit from certain immunizations (vaccinations or shots) for up to 11 months after they have had immune globulin. Ask your doctor how long your child should wait before getting these immunizations: </p>
<ul><li>measles, alone or as MMR(measles, mumps, rubella)</li>
<li>varicella (chickenpox)</li></ul>
<p>Tell your doctor if your child has had any of the above immunizations in the last 14 days before getting immune globulin.</p>

<h2>What other important information should you know about immune globulin?</h2><ul><li>Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.<br></li></ul>

<p class="akh-article-overview">Your child needs to take the medicine called immune globulin. Learn what immune globulin does, how to give it, and possible sideeffects.</p>

<p>Your child needs to take the medicine called immune globulin (say: ih-MUNE GLOB-yoo-lin). This information sheet explains what immune globulin does, how to give it, and what side effects or problems your child may have when they take this medicine. </p>

<h2>What is immune globulin?</h2>
<p>Immune globulin is a blood product that contains antibodies.</p>
<p>Immune globulin will help your child's immune system prevent and fight infections. It may also be used to treat other diseases, such as Kawasaki disease, immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), Guillain Barr? syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. Your child's doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of immune globulin with you. </p>
<p>You may hear immune globulin called IVIG, IGIV, gamma globulin, Gamimune, or Iveegam. Immune globulin comes in an injection form. </p>

<h2>Before giving immune globulin to your child</h2>
<p>Tell your child's doctor if your child has:</p>
<ul><li>an allergy to immune globulin products</li></ul>
<h3>Talk with your child's doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. </h3>
<p>Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has: </p>
<ul><li>a history of blood clotting problems</li>
<li>diabetes mellitus</li>
<li>heart problems</li>
<li>kidney problems</li>
<li>immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency</li></ul>

<h2>How will your child get immune globulin?</h2>
<p>A nurse will inject immune globulin from a needle into your child's vein. Usually your child will get this medicine in the hospital clinic or in the nursing unit. </p>

<h2>What are the possible side effects of immune globulin?</h2>
<p>Your child may have some of these side effects while they are getting immune globulin. Call the nurse if your child has any of these signs or symptoms: </p>
<ul><li>headache</li>
<li>muscle aches</li>
<li>trouble breathing, shortness of breath</li>
<li>blue lips and fingernails</li>
<li>swelling of the legs and ankles</li>
<li>swelling of the eyes, face, ears</li>
<li>hives (raised, red, itchy areas on the skin)</li></ul>
<h3>Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. </h3>
<p>Tell the nurse or doctor right away if your child has any of these side effects. If you are no longer at the hospital, call the doctor right away if your child has: </p>
<ul><li>stiff neck</li>
<li>fever, chills</li>
<li>severe headache</li>
<li>severe nausea and vomiting</li>
<li>painful eye movements</li>
<li>eyes sensitive to light</li>
<li>drowsiness</li>
<li>red or dark brown urine</li></ul>

<h2>What safety measures should you take when your child is using immune globulin?</h2>
<p>Keep all appointments at the clinic or doctor's office so that your doctor can check your child's response to immune globulin. The doctor may order blood tests to check your child's kidneys. </p>
<p>Your child may not get the full benefit from certain immunizations (vaccinations or shots) for up to 11 months after they have had immune globulin. Ask your doctor how long your child should wait before getting these immunizations: </p>
<ul><li>measles, alone or as MMR(measles, mumps, rubella)</li>
<li>varicella (chickenpox)</li></ul>
<p>Tell your doctor if your child has had any of the above immunizations in the last 14 days before getting immune globulin.</p>

<h2>What other important information should you know about immune globulin?</h2><ul><li>Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.<br></li></ul>

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Immune Globulin for Intravenous Use

Immune Globulin

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